Today (02/12/2024) is the International Day for the Abolition of Slavery, an annual event organised by the United Nations (UN). The day commemorates the UN’s adoption, on 2 December 1949, of the Convention for the Suppression of the Traffic in Persons and of the Exploitation of the Prostitution of Others.
The International Day for the Abolition of Slavery provides an opportunity to reflect upon historical and contemporary forms of slavery. According to the International Labour Organisation (ILO), over 40 million people worldwide are victims of modern slavery. This includes forced labour, debt bondage, forced marriage, and human trafficking. In addition, more than 150 million children are subject to forced labour—one in ten children globally. Today, we are urged to explore ways in which slavery can be eradicated.